Search - Smoking Popes :: Live: Greatest Hits

Ragged but righteous

Alan Hutchins | Denver, CO United States | 04/17/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is the only officially released, properly recorded Smoking Popes live disc there is in existence. The main reason other reviewers seem to be knocking this disc is because they attended other Smoking Popes shows in the past that were better than this one. The problem with this critique is that no other show is available as a live CD, so we only have this one as a representation of the band in a live setting.Judged on its own merits (or possibly against the studio recordings of the band), the bulk of this disc amounts to one heck of a rockin' live disc. The sound is extremely crisp and full, and the career retrospective song selection is a joy, although any long time fan will probably have a missing favorite or two. The Popes throw in a couple of items not to be found in their studio recordings: a cover of an MC5 song called "Ramblin' Rose" (both instrumentally to kick off the disc, and later in a vocal version connected to both "Pretty Pathetic" and "Writing a Letter") and a separate instrumental simply called "Surf (Instro)" Some of these live versions actually improve upon or come out better than the studio versions. Most of the early songs (prior to the "Get Fired" disc ) sound great--in particular "Waiting Around" and "Stars". "Stars" is inifinitely better here than the tinny studio version that sounds awkwardly paced in retrospect. Even a late-period classic like "Pretty Pathetic" contains a live arrangement with an awesome sense of building dynamics here compared to the monochromatic "Destination Failure" version. The closing "I Know You Love Me" is stripped to accoustic guitar with some non-distorted electric adornment, making it an appropriately mellow disc closer after the previous "wall of sound" hour. This is not a perfect set of performances, however. Josh definitely falters in several songs, none worse than "Rubella", where he appears to get lost and go missing, ruining an otherwise tasty performance of a "Born To Quit" highlight. The rest of the bands' efforts are nearly faultless. Matt never hits a bum note on the bass. The guitars sound great and feature some great interplay of Josh and Eli on such songs as "Before I'm Gone". Mike drums as if he's a man possessed, especially in his frenetic Keith Moon impersonation during the last two minutes or so of "Days Just Wave Goodbye". This is a highly enjoyable, great sounding representation of the late period live Popes and should be cherished and enjoyed by all fans of the band whether you ever saw this band live before or not. Even if you attended shows you thought were better than this."

Also at the show....better than you think!

bbtercero@cs.com | Bethesda, Md United States | 06/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Great retrospective of Popes' music. If for nothing other than the version of "Pretty Pathetic", you need to pick this up. I was in the crowd at The Metro, and this was my fourth Smoking Popes show. It was a fantastic performance! Don't let the "fans" who are sour about the break-up deter you from trying this one. (although I agree you should hear their other records first)"

Last of a Dying Breed

KB in FC | 09/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not enough bands these days have the heart this one did. My sisters and I were at this show (my second), and one of them got me this CD as a gift since we had such a great time there and I was becoming a big fan too late. While it's nice for me that you can hear us yelling in the background, I like this CD mainly because the band is really talented all around and it shows up in every song. It's true rock and roll. The fact this CD recorded Josh's real reason for writing "I Know You Love Me" took some guts in this day and age, but what better reason is there for writing a song like that? His bold declaration made me like it even better, and the hecklers were just bitter. This was a well done show from a hard-working group of guys from my hometown, and I think anyone who appreciated their chance to enjoy their last performance without all the pressure would want to relive it or live it for the first time on this CD."